Device and method for controlling playback devices for digital information, especially music information

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a playback control unit which is connected with a playback device for CDs or records, wherein these provide coded information by means of which the playback device can be controlled. In this way, in addition to the playback speed, further functions can be controlled, namely selecting elements from a list, in particular a music archive, or determining skip marks or controlling software modules or the length of audio loops or a continuous modification of parameters, in particular audio effect parameters, for volume, filter, flange, echo, delay or a playback control of video sequences or parameters of video sequences, in particular color, resolution or parameters and positioning of objects in computer games.

PRIORITY CLAIM TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/503,652 filed Aug. 4, 2004, which is anational stage entry of PCT/EP03/01181 filed Feb. 6, 2003, which is alsoincorporated by reference, which claims priority to DE 102 06 644.2filed Feb. 15, 2002, which is also incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a (controlled) playback device, in particular aPC, for playing back digitally stored information, in particular musicinformation, which is controlled by conventional playback devices suchas record players or CD players. Further aspects of the invention areinformation carriers such as CDs or vinyl records which are segmentedaccordingly. The analog or digital output signal of the conventionalplayback device is hereby evaluated by the digital playback device andconverted into control information.

BACKGROUND

The publication WO 01/65559 discloses a control for reproducing digitalaudio data with aid of a vinyl record which is played on a conventionalrecord player. This publication also describes a method which enablesDisk Jockeys (DJs) to reproduce their music digitally stored oncomputers with the aid of special vinyl records (commercial name:FinalScratch). The advantage of this method is that DJs can work withthe customary, robust record players in often quite cramped and poorlylit work surroundings without having to thereby control the playback ofthe digital piece of music via obscured computer keyboards, but be ableto control them by their familiar actions on the record player.

The publication US 2001/0011497 discloses a device which controls themusic playback in dependency on the rotation of a knob.

As can be seen in the application, it is only possible to control thespeed and the play position of the digital playback by the vinyl record.

The disadvantage of the above described method is that it does not offera solution to control also the selection of a musical piece from thearchive stored on the hard disk or other parameters of the playbackdevice affecting the sound. As before, the keyboard of the computer oranother input device (e.g. the mouse) must be used for this purpose.

SUMMARY

In order to overcome this limitation the present invention provides amethod and a device which can be individually used and make available tothe DJ various operating functions that go beyond mere playback.

In principle, the analog or digital information carrier is segmented inthe described method by dividing said information carrier into variousareas which can be easily accessed by basic functions of the playbackdevice used. By selecting an area, the user determines which parametersof the attached digital playback device (computer/software) he wouldlike to control.

He controls the selected parameter by positioning the play positionwithin the selected area. Thus, the surface of the information carrierrepresents a control surface.

Basically, digital information carriers and analog information carriersare to be considered.

In one embodiment of the described method, ring-shaped areas arepreferably optically marked on the surface on a vinyl record. The DJselects the parameters of the digital playback device to be controlledwith the method by placing the audio receiver in one of the areas byhand. To control the selected parameter, the vinyl record is preferablymoved forward and back by hand.

In a further embodiment, the ring-shaped areas are, on their part,optically divided into radial sectors. Hereby, the selected parameter ofthe digital playback device is not modified continuously, but only whencrossing one of the optically visible radial markings.

In a further embodiment, a digital information carrier, for example anaudio CD, is formatted such that the areas allocated to the parametersto be controlled are marked by track skip marks.

The playback area and the parameter to be controlled with it are herebyselected by the conventional track selection keys of the playbackdevice.

The method described here offers a solution to the problem by using thesignal generated by the data carrier and the associated playback deviceto drive a plurality of parameters and functions of the preferablydigital playback device.

If one combines this method in the case of the vinyl disk with theplayback method described in the publication WO 01/65559, the advantageis that a DJ can perform the entire operation of mixing digital piecesof music with the record player. To select a new music title, he onlyhas to place the audio receiver in the corresponding control area of therecord, preferably manually turn the record back and forth within thisarea until the desired title is indicated and loaded and to then replacethe audio receiver back into the playback part of the record to play thetitle. The precise manual placing of the audio receiver in specificareas of the record as well as manually turning them back and forth ispart of the DJ's basic trade and thus represents an ideal input methodfor him.

Only one method is known from the prior art which enables Disk Jockeysto play back their music digitally stored on computers with the aid ofspecial vinyl disks. On the other hand, the use of digital media was notdisclosed. In recent years, DJing by means of CD players has alsoestablished itself parallel to the art of vinyl placement. There arewell engineered devices which enable infinitely variable control of thespeed, starting of marked points, the playback of audio loops as well asthe so-called scratching (manually moving the playback position forwardand back).

The current DJ CD-players thus represent complex playback control unitsto indirectly control the playback of digital audio data. The describedmethod can thus be transferred from the vinyl disk to the digital disk.

Therefore, in the digital domain, a further aspect of the invention is adigital storage medium for audio or video data, in particular a CD, DVD,mini disc, which has a coding that contains the information aboutplayback position and speed for an external digital playback device(computer) to reproduce digital audio data files preferably stored on ahard disk when played on a playback device based on the reproducedinformation at the analog or digital output of the playback device.

In the digital domain, a further aspect of the invention is a digitalstorage medium for audio or video data, in particular a CD, DVD,minidisk which has a coding that enables one to determine the functionsselected by the user, in particular the keys operated on the playbackdevice when played on a playback device based on the reproducedinformation at the analog or digital output of the playback device.

The method described here allocates the operating sequences on theplayback device to the functions of the digital playback device.Preferably, this enables a selection of elements from a list, inparticular a music archive, or a determination of skip marks or thecontrol of software modules or the length of audio loops or a continuousmodification of parameters, in particular audio effect parameters forvolume, filter, flange, echo, delay or a playback control of videosequences or parameters of video sequences, in particular color,resolution or parameters and positioning of objects in computer games.

As a result, in particular, large archives of music information on thehard disk (or other storage media) of the digital playback device(computer) can be started and preferably searched by means ofconventional operating processes on the CD player.

Due to the high storage capacities of today's hard disks and thecompression process for audio data files (MP3) as well as the extensivearchiving functions which are available on computers, this methodrepresents an advantage in comparison to conventional use of the CDplayer. Thus, the limitation to music titles of the inserted audio CDbecomes unnecessary.

Music titles no longer have to be burned on a plurality of CDs, but canbe easily called up directly from the hard disk and played back with allparameters which are available on the CD player.

In a further embodiment, to control the functions, forward and backmovements within the selected track of the digital information carrierare used, corresponding to the forward and back movement of vinylrecords. This is made possible by a “search mode” available on manyprofessional CD players which stops the usual playback of the audio CDand continuously plays back the current playback position as an alwaysrecurring audio loop. One can slowly go through the track in this searchmode by means of the forward and back keys or the conventional dial(Jogg-Wheel) on many CD players. The connected digital playback deviceevaluates the position just played back as a loop and activates theparameter associated with the track accordingly.

A further advantage of the method is that it is independent of the CDplayer used. Since a specific coding (time code, skip marks/tracks) arestored as information on the special CD, every CD player can be used forthe method and exactly the same functions are available which this CDplayer also offers for conventional audio CDs.

A fundamental aspect of the present invention is a (controlled) playbackdevice for playing back digitally stored information, in particularmusic information. Preferably, this is a conventional PC which has asound card. This computer has access to digitally stored (playback)information, in particular music information, either directly or via anetwork. The sound card usually serves as interface means in the inputpath which enable a connection to a controllable audio or video dataplayback device, in particular, a record player, CD player, DVD playeror minidisk player. A program is running on the computer which manages astorage area in which patterns are stored which can be individuallyassociated with function call-ups of the (controlled) playback device.Due to the individual connections, it is possible for the user toindependently establish the function profile. This applies to bothdigital and analog information carriers.

Furthermore, the computer comprises means for comparing the patternswith information from the controllable audio or video data playbackdevices, wherein the associated function is performed when a pattern isidentified.

In digital media, an essential point of the invention is also a controlbeyond the playback speed. The types of controls are described above. Itis pointed out that analog media can also be used for the control.

Furthermore, in the digital domain, a digital storage medium is alsopart of the invention for audio or video data, in particular a CD, DVD,minidisk which has a special coding that enables the functions selectedby the user to be determined, in particular the depressed keys, whenplayed on a playback device based on the reproduced information at theanalog or digital output of the playback device. To obtain this,differently coded tracks are used for the identification.

In records, in particular vinyl records, optically emphasized segmentsare preferably provided by control information. These segments can beboth rings and radial segments. Detailed examples are found below. Theindividual segments are identified by the playback device on the basisof their codings. The coding takes place by known modulation processeswhich transfer the coding in the form of an audio signal to the record.These codings can e.g. be time information. Alternatives with differentfrequency ranges are, however, also feasible. As a result, it ispossible to determine segments based on information which are readableby an audio receiver and which enable a clear determination of a segmentfrom which the audio receiver reads the information.

To control the audio receiver, segments of the disk are emphasized incolor, so that they can be easily recognized, especially when it isdark. The color emphasis has, in particular, a special effect if it isfluorescent.

A further aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a(controlled) playback device, in particular a PC, wherein the(controlled) playback device comprises interface means which enable aconnection to a controllable audio and/or video data playback device, inparticular record players, CD players, DVD players and/or minidiskplayers. In a first initialization step, information patterns, which areassociated with functions of the (controlled) playback device, arestored in a storage area. On the basis of these reference patterns, itis possible to identify the information sent from the source.

In a further monitoring step, information is continuously read by theaudio or video data playback devices in order to compare them with thepatterns which are stored in the storage area. When a pattern isidentified, the associated function is performed.

In a preferred embodiment, the functions can be individually allocatedto the patterns. Thus, a DJ has all possibilities to control thecomputer by controlling the vinyl records or CDs.

The functions have already been described in detail above. Inparticular, these are functions which, aside from the playback speed,control the inventive device.

A further aspect of the invention is software which realizes thedescribed method on a PC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention shall be described in greater detail in the following withreference to embodiments which are schematically illustrated in thefigures. The same reference numbers in the individual figures refer tothe same elements. The individual figures show:

FIG. 1 the structure of a digital storage medium with two tracks,wherein the first track is provided with time information to control theplayback speed and position, and the second track can be activated by askip mark and is used for controlling a parameter;

FIG. 2 the structure of a digital storage medium with three tracks,which each have different distinguishing time information, in order tostart a selection function of the connected playback device by skippingfrom one track to the other;

FIG. 3 the structure of a vinyl record with different sectors and rings,which are illustrated in an optically different manner, wherein theaudio receiver can be manually placed in another area in order to thenmanually move the record forward and back to control the parameters ofthe digital playback device;

FIG. 4 the schematic structure of an embodiment according to the presentinvention based on a conventional CD player as control playback device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3 shows the possible structure of a vinyl record. Thus, forexample, RING 2 can control the selection of the music title from alist. The attached device identifies the selected ring on the basis ofthe first data transmitted. If the user now moves the record manuallyforward or back, the attached device interprets the resultant data flowand changes the parameters accordingly. The following possibilities forthe control are described by way of example. Such one differentiatesbetween an absolute and a relative control.

An absolute control will be considered in the following. The areas A/Bare marked in color on the disk and correspond to various states of theselected parameter. Preferably, 8-32 such areas can be defined on aring. The parameter of the device is set to the desired value by turningthe record in such a way that the audio receiver is in the correspondingarea.

In a relative control, the parameter is raised or lowered to the nextpermissible value in each case, when the audio receiver crosses aboundary between an A and a B area. This functions both forward andbackward. The direction can be determined by corresponding time codings.This facilitates the assessment of the direction of rotation enormously.However, the crossing of boundaries can also be used for determining thedirection. In this mode, the record functions as usual as an input dial(Jogg Wheel).

In a further mode, other codings can be undertaken. Complex movementpatterns, which are performed with the record, can be evaluated by anattached device and allocated to a parameter or a value of theparameter. Examples of this are:

forward and back within one secondforward and stop within one secondback and stop within one second

The combination possibilities are unlimited in this case. Theaforementioned functions can be implemented at any time through thevariable allocation.

The procedure in digital disks depends on the design of the CD playbackdevice. In simple devices, the control can be accomplished merely by thekeys of the playback system.

In a first embodiment, which is described in FIG. 2, at least threetracks are required. To use the keys present on each conventional CDplayer for selecting the next/last track, 3 tracks are burned on thespecial CD which differ from one another in the code used. The attachedplayback device can then correctly evaluate the function of thecontinuation to the next/last title and load the next or last musictitle from the digital music archive into the playback unit.

In this case, when operating the “NEXT track” key on the CD player, the(controlled) playback device registers a skip of the received code inthe sequence: TRACK 1.fwdarw.TRACK 2.fwdarw.TRACK 3.fwdarw.TRACK1.fwdarw . . . , which can be clearly evaluated on the basis of thecoding in order to load the next track from the digital music archives.In an advantageous embodiment, the track which is selected by operatingthe NEXT key is in a position to control the playback of the title. Thiscontrol is obtained in that time information or counting information isstored. An upward counting is feasible. There is no difference in theoperation of the CD player for the user, with the exception that theindicated TRACK number can only assume the values 1, 2 or 3 in the aboveexample, whereas, in the digital music archive, any number of titlesdesired can be stored. However, each of the tracks is alsosimultaneously a playback control track in this case.

To operate the PREV key (last track), the invention works in reverse andthe playback unit is prompted to load the respective previous track fromthe archives.

More complex CD playback devices are nowadays furnished with a searchfunction (previously described) and input dials which enable a manualoperation of the playback which comes very close to that of recordplayers.

A further embodiment is described in FIG. 1 which is suitable for suchprofessional CD players.

The search function prompts the CD player to repeatedly reproduce thecurrent playback position in an extremely short audio loop of a fewtenths of a second. Usually, this function is used to accurately locatepoints on the audio CD by means of the forward and backward keys or theinput dial and to place a mark there.

If, in addition to the playback control track, a second track is nowburned on the CD, which comprises a control code which can be identifiedby the playback device, a movement of the playback position within thistrack can be interpreted by the playback device as a change inparameter, for example, as a selection of the next or last title fromthe archives. The skip mark on the CD which marks TRACK 2 here lies inthe centre of the code area allocated to the title selection, so thatboth forward and back searches are possible.

If the desired title is found, one again skips to the playback controltrack and the playback of the selected title can be started.

The aforementioned functions should only be understood to be by way ofexample. Rather, with this control, music archives (play lists), skipmarks (cue points), modules (in modular software/hardware), lengths ofaudio loops, continuous modification of parameters, audio effectparameters (e.g. volume, filter, flange, echo, delay, etc.), playbackcontrol of video sequences, parameters of video sequences (e.g. color,resolution, etc.), parameters and positioning of objects in computergames can be controlled.

By way of example, FIG. 4 shows a system, as described in claim 1, basedon a conventional CD player. The individual components speak forthemselves. The playback unit represents the playback control.

1. A system for playing back digitally stored playback information, with a first playback device for controlling the playback of the digitally stored playback information, the first playback device having a reader head, with a control disk which can be played back on the first playback device, and which is equipped with control information, where the control information are coded such that a segment on the control disk over which the reader head is situated can be determined on the basis of the control information read by the reader head, with a second playback device, which is connected with the first playback device, and which comprises a decoder for the control information to determine the segments, and which has access to the digitally stored playback information, wherein the segments are individually assigned to functions of the second playback device and the second playback device is controlled by means of the decoded segments.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second playback device is a PC and the control disk is a record, a CD or a DVD.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control information controls one or more functions selected from the group consisting of: a playback speed module, a music archive selection unit, a programming unit for managing skip marks, a loading module for software modules, a managing unit for determining the length of audio loops, and a parameter control module for modifying parameters related to the playback of said digitally stored information.
 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said parameters are effect parameters selected from the group consisting of: volume, filter, flange, echo, delay, control of video sequences, colour, resolution, and positioning of objects in computer games.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second playback device allocates functions to segments.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said digital stored information is at least one of music, video or computer game data.
 7. A system for playing back digitally stored playback information, comprising a first playback device for controlling the playback of the digitally stored playback information, the first playback device comprising reading means for reading digital playback media, a digital playback medium playable on the first playback device and comprising control information indicating the position which is read by the reading means, a second playback device being connected with the playback device and comprising means for evaluating the control information read by the reading means and received from the first playback device to detect at least one of speed and turning direction of the digital playback medium played on the first playback device, and means for playing back the digitally stored playback information depending on the detected speed or direction.
 8. A system according to claim 7, where the first playback device is a compact disk player or a DVD player.
 9. A system according to claim 7, where the digital playback medium is a CD or DVD.
 10. A system according to claim 7, where the second playback device is a PC.
 11. A system according to claim 7, where digitally stored playback information comprises at least one of music, video or computer game data.
 12. A playback device for playing back digitally stored information, comprising: means for accessing the digitally stored information, an interface for connection to a controlling audio or video data playback device, on which a control disk provided with information patterns is playable, with a storage area in which data patterns are stored that are individually associated with functions of the playback device for playing back digitally stored information, with means for decoding the information patterns of the control disk provided over the interface and comparing the patterns with information in the storage area, to select and execute the function on the digitally stored information when a corresponding pattern is identified.
 13. The playback device according to claim 12, wherein said stored patterns are operative to control one or more functions selected from the group consisting of: a playback speed module, a music archive selection unit, a programming unit for managing skip marks, a loading module for software modules, a managing unit for determining the length of audio loops, and a parameter control module for a continuous modification in parameters affecting playback.
 14. The playback device of claim 13, wherein said parameters affecting playback are selected from the group consisting of: volume, filter, flange, echo, delay or a playback control of video sequences, colour, resolution, and positioning objects in computer games.
 15. The playback device according to claim 12, wherein the playback device comprises a PC with an interface for establishing the connection to said controlling audio or video data playback device.
 16. The playback device according to claim 12, wherein said digitally stored information is music, video or computer game data.
 17. A playback device for playing back digitally stored information, comprising: means for accessing the digitally stored information, an interface for connection to a controlling audio or video data playback device, on which a control disk provided with time or counting information patterns is playable, with means for evaluating the time or counting information of the control disk provided over the interface in order to detect information of at least one of speed and direction of the digital playback medium, and to control at least one of speed and direction of the digitally stored playback information based on the detected information.
 18. The playback device according to claim 17, wherein the playback device comprises a PC with an interface for establishing the connection to said controlling audio or video data playback device.
 19. The playback device according to claim 17, wherein said digitally stored information is music, video or computer game data.
 20. A method for controlling a playback device, such as a PC, wherein the playback device comprises interface means which enable a connection to a controlling audio or video data playback device, such as a record player, CD player, DVD player or minidisk player, wherein in an initializing step storing information patterns in a storage area, which are associated with functions of the playback device, in a further monitoring step, information is continuously read by said controlling audio or video data playback devices in order to compare it with the patterns, where the allocated function is being performed when a pattern is identified.
 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the functions are individually allocated to the patterns.
 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the functions enable access to digitally stored information.
 23. The method according to claim 20, comprising controlling a function selected from the group consisting of: a playback speed module, a music archive selection unit, a programming unit for managing skip marks, a loading module for software modules, a managing unit for determining the length of audio loops, and a parameter control module for a continuous modification of parameters affecting playback.
 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said parameters affecting playback are selected from the group consisting of: volume, filter, flange, echo, delay, playback control of video sequences, colour, resolution, and positioning objects in computer games.
 25. A method for controlling playback of digitally stored playback information using a digital playback medium equipped with time or counting information, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a playback device to be controlled via interface means with a digital controlling playback device, providing access from the playback device to be controlled to the digitally stored playback information, playing the digital playback medium on the digital controlling playback device, reading the time or counting information by the digital controlling playback device evaluating the read information by evaluating means in order to detect information of at least one of speed and direction of the digital playback medium, and controlling at least one of speed and direction of the digitally stored playback information based on the detected information.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the digital controlling playback device is a compact disk player or a DVD player.
 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein said digital playback medium is a CD or DVD.
 28. The method according to claim 25, wherein said digitally stored information comprises at least music, video or computer game data.
 29. A digital playback medium readable by playback devices, where the digital playback medium is equipped with a bit pattern indicating the position which is read by reading means of the playback device.
 30. A digital playback medium according to claim 29, where the digital playback medium is usable in a playback system for digitally stored playback information, the system comprising a first playback device with means for reading the bit pattern of the digital playback medium, and a second playback device for playing back the digitally stored playback information, being connected with the first playback device and comprising means for evaluating the bit pattern read by the reading means and received from the first playback device to detect at least one of speed and turning direction of the digital playback medium played on the first playback device, and means for playing back the digitally stored playback information based on the detected speed or direction.
 31. A record usable in a playback system for digitally stored playback information, the system comprising a conventional record player equipped with a pick-up element, and a playback device for playing back the digitally stored playback information, being connected with the conventional record player and comprising means for evaluating control information read by the pick-up element and received from the conventional record player to detect pattern of the control information, which is assigned to functions of the playback device, and means for controlling the playback device based on the detected functions, the record having optical marks indicating the function encoded in the marked location.
 32. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to cause a computer to execute the method defined in claim 20 when loaded into a computer.
 33. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to cause a computer to execute the method defined in claim 25 when loaded into a computer. 